Help a local foodbank
You’ll need
- A4 paper
- Pens or pencils
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
- Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.
Planning and setting up this activity
- The Trussell Trust is a great place to start looking for a food bank near you. You can find details of independent food banks online.
- Once you’ve found a food bank that’s happy to have you visit, and you’ve agreed on a date and time, think about what else you may need to know. For example, such is accessibility needs, toilets or if you can help during your visit.
- Some young people may have used food banks or know someone who has. Always speak respectfully and focus on the positive support food banks provide. Avoid ‘othering’ food bank users (talking about them as a group who are totally different to the people in the discussion).
- You may wish to fundraise for or gather donations the food bank needs for your visit and take them with you.
Running this activity
- Gather everyone together and ask if anyone knows what a food bank is. Explain that food-banks provide food for free, for those who are struggling to afford the food you need. They are community organisations and you’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it. You might be able to use some food banks without a referral - for example, if it’s run by a local faith group. They also give out essential items too, such as toilet roll and soap. A lot of the items are donated, but the organisers and charities also buy food to provide.
- Ask everyone to think of any questions you may want to ask at the foodbank. You could use the ‘Food bank facts’ to plan some questions to ask.
- On the day of your visit, gather everyone together in a safe place and give a safety briefing. You could introduce the volunteers you’re meeting or tell everyone what you’re going to do. For example, you may be able to help make food parcels or sort donations.
- Alternatively, you may want someone from the food bank to visit you and to tell the group about what they do.
- During the visit, everyone should take the opportunity to learn about the food bank, find out what volunteers do, help in any way they can, and ask any questions. People may want to ask about challenges and how they could help. Food banks are busy and important places, so everyone should thank the people who took the time to show them around and answer their questions.
- After your visit, ask everyone to reflect on the visit, such as what they learned, what challenges they may have identified and what you could all do to help. Ask people to come up with some ideas of how you could make a difference, depending on what the food bank needed help with. For example, they could collect or sort donations, run a fundraising event, volunteer to sort donations or make a collection point at the meeting place.
All sorts of people use food banks for lots of different reasons.
- People may suddenly need to use a food bank because of an unexpected event, for example, a house fire, losing their job, an illness, or a natural disaster like a flood.
- In 2019, the Trussell Trust found that 1 in 7 people at their food banks are in employment (or live with someone who is).
- Lots of people at Trussell Trust food banks are single parents or have a health issue. This can put pressure on their budgets and makes it harder for them to access (and stay in) the workplace too.
Food banks promote their services differently.
- Food banks may use the internet, social media, posters or newspapers to promote themselves.
- People may be referred by social workers, doctors, or the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
- How does the food bank you’re visiting promote their services?
Some food banks are independent, some belong to wider initiatives.
- For example, some are part of the Trussell Trust’s network.
- Is the food bank you’re visiting part of a bigger organisation?
Food banks get food from lots of different places.
- As well as donations, some food banks are linked to supermarkets or catering suppliers that donate food that would otherwise be wasted.
- Where does the food bank you’re visiting get its food from?
Different food banks have different rules.
- Some might not accept donations of fresh food or alcohol.
- Some food banks provide essential non-food items, such as toiletries and period products.
- Some independent food banks may accept self-referrals, but in general, most food banks only accept referrals from professionals, such as doctors, social workers, health visitors and school staff.
- What can’t people donate to the food bank you’re visiting? Do they provide non-food items?
- How do people get to use the food bank? Can they self-refer?
Food banks offer a variety of services too.
- Some food banks deliver food.
- Some run holiday clubs, budgeting courses, or other projects to address the causes of poverty in their community. Others signpost to other organisations that offer services.
- Does the food bank you’re visiting offer any other services?
Food banks face a variety of challenges.
- If lots of people are affected by something at once (for example, a flood), food banks can come under strain as lots more people than usual need their help.
- Food banks often see an inconsistent amount of donations throughout the year, for example, they might get loads at Christmas then not as many in the new year. This can mean they’re short of essentials at different times.
- What challenges does the food bank you’re visiting face at different times of year? What are they struggling with right now?
- How could you be most helpful to your local food bank at the moment?
This activity may touch on sensitive topics, such as food, money or food banks, which some young people or their families might be affected by.
It’s important to create a safe, positive and supportive space where everyone feels comfortable. Let everyone know it’s okay to ask questions, say if they feel unsure, or step away at any time. Always follow the Yellow Card.
You might need to make adjustments, such as:
- Tell people about the activity in advance
- Offer the option to leave or do an alternative activity
- Speak with parents or carers beforehand
- Remind everyone they can talk to a trusted adult if they’re upset or worried
You can offer trusted support services if needed, such as Childline (0800 1111) or Citizen’s Advice (0808 223 1133). The UK Government have some debt advice support too.
The Trussell Trust is a great place to start looking for a food bank near you. You can find details of independent food banks online.
Make sure that all adult volunteers and young leaders keep all discussions age-appropriate and supportive.
Reflection
This activity was all about helping the community. How do food banks support their local community? People might think about their role in providing essentials to anyone who needs them, as well as any other work they do and how they help prevent food waste. How do others in the community support food banks? For example, do supermarkets donate food? What support do food banks need to continue to make the world a better place?
This activity was all about caring. Was anyone surprised at any of the reasons that people might use food banks? How do people think it feels to use a food bank? They might think about it being a relief to have access to essentials, or feeling grateful. What could people do to help food bank users? They might think about donating if they can, joining campaigns by organisations like the Trussell Trust, or just spreading the word.
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.
- Make sure you find out how to make your visit accessible for everyone in your group. You may want to think about getting to the food bank, the accessibility of buildings, and accessible toilets, as well as anything that might be challenging for people with sensory differences.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
Anyone who enjoyed this visit may want to work towards another badge that focuses on making a difference, whether it’s local, national, or international. The Scouts Global Issues Activity Badge, or Scouts Local Knowledge Activity Badge could be the perfect place to start.
If you’ve lots of different good ideas for ways to make a difference, you could split into teams led by young people.